Yamuna level rises, flood gates of Hathnikund Barrage opened

The flood gates of the Hathnikund Barrage were opened after the water level in Yamuna surpassed the 1 lakh cusecs-mark on Sunday.

The water touched the level of 1,78,896 cusecs, the highest flow this season in the Yamuna so far. Later, it started receding and was around 1.27 lakh cusecs in the evening. It takes around 48 hours for the water flow to reach Delhi.

Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Department, RS Mittal, said that the water level started to increase in the Yamuna sharply on Sunday morning and, as per the guidelines, the supply of canals was diverted to the river to manage the flow of water. All gates of the barrage were opened as the Yamuna water level rose above the 1 lakh cusecs-mark. Sirens were sounded to alert the people. Meanwhile, after flowing in spate, the water level in the Somb and Pathrala, both seasonal rivulets, has started receding.

The Somb river recorded a flow of 24,000 cusec while its danger level is 10,000 cusec. The heavy flow created panic and the water was seen flowing over a bridge at Dhanaura village. However in the evening, around 3,000 cusecs was flowing in the river.

Similarly, the overflowing Pathrala river also caused panic among the people living in the villages along the river. About 7,200 cusec water was flowing in the river against the danger mark of 5,000 cusecs. The level receded to 500 cusecs in the evening.

Due to water entering Kathgarh village, a house partially collapsed. No injuries were reported in this incident.

Vyaspur (Bilaspur) SDM Jaspal Singh Gill, who inspected the affected areas, said, “Due to heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, Somb, Nakti and Pathrala rivers have been receiving a heavy flow of water. However, no breach and no loss of life were reported. A close watch is being kept in Khanuwala, Chintpur, Manipur and other sensitive areas.” Deputy Commissioner Yamunanagar Parth Gupta said, “The situation is under control and a close watch is being kept on the rivers. There is water in the agriculture fields and low-lying areas, but there has been no report of loss so far.”

Meanwhile, the Markanda and Begna rivers were also in spate on Sunday, causing panic among the residents of Mullana in Ambala. Due to the overflowing river, water entered Hema Majra and Gola villages. SDM Barara Satinder Siwach said that the water has started receding in the Markanda river and the situation was improving. No loss was reported.

Similarly, there were reports of water entering the fields at Tangore, Kathwa, Kalsana, Gumti and Malikpur of Kurukshetra.

XEN Irrigation Department Munish Kumar informed that around 52,000 cusecs water was flowing in Mullana area against the danger level of 35,000 cusecs. Inspection of vulnerable and crucial points of Markanda river had been done and manpower and machinery has been deployed at critical points for clearance of obstructions. However, the water has been flowing smoothly so far. Since Markanda river was receiving over 50,000 cusecs from Kala Amb, Shahabad and Pehowa SDMs have been directed to be on high alert by ADC Kurukshetra Mahabir Prasad.

The Tangri river in Ambala Cantonment also swelled due to which water entered the streets of the colonies situated on the river bed. Tangri is a seasonal river and it swells when there is heavy rain in the Shivalik region.